Mad Hair Monday: Fiery Red

Hair done. Nails done. Everything did. If you think you're fancy send your natural hair photo to info@kurleebelle.com to be featured as our Mad Hair Monday model of the week. Every Monday we will post a gorgeous photo of a naturalista and it could be you! Happy New Year & do it big in 2012. 

Interracial Dating & Natural Hair

One of the great things about being natural is it's versatility. About a week ago, I straightened my hair for an "oh so needed" trim. At the time, it didn't cross my mind that my new hair do would be met with mixed emotions. Everyone from the cashier at the grocery store to the janitor had an opinion on my new straight look. The most surprising reaction was the difference in opinion of my caucasian male friends vs. black male friends. 


Many of my black male friends erred on the side of straight. One actually said to me "The natural look was starting to grow on me but I think straight looks better." (I'm thinking--But who asked your opinion tho?) My white male friends were Pro Fro. Many of them asked "Terri--what did you do to your hair?" "The curls are more you." Surprising huh? 


All along I thought that white men preferred straight hair--well because that's what grows out of their head but to my surprise I was wrong. Even my Asian male friend said to me " Terri--I wish I could grow an afro. It looks so cool. Can I touch it?" My response--"Dave- This ain't no petting zoo."


In a Facebook post by Alex Barnett- Comedian and regular contributor to The Coil Review he described his son's (interracial baby) reaction to the fact that he got his dad's (Alex's--white hair) hair instead of his Mom's (Alex's wife--black hair) hair. 


"You ignoramus. I want an Afro like Mommy. And, it's all your fault, you dumb White guy, that I'm never gonna have one. You and your straight hair, and your melanin-free skin, and your pointy nose, and your socio-economic advantages, and your colonialism. All your fault. Now, I'm just gonna have that weird, 'what kind of hair is that?' hair! I hope you're happy. Now go make yourself useful. Go get us a taxi, 'cause God knows, cabbies won't stop for Mommy and me. Nooooo, because we're people of color. And, we might be trying to do something subversive like, oh, I don't know, get where we're going!"


*Please check out his page. He has the cutest family and funny material*


It is truly surprising to me that a lot of black men still can't get down with natural hair. I mean its the same thing that grows out of their head. If you are in an interracial relationship, what does your partner think about your hair? I'm interested to see if my hypothesis that white men are more Pro Fro than black men is true. 

To grease or NOT to grease the scalp?

I would suggest the latter....never grease or oil the scalp. First of all, the scalp does not need our help when it comes to moisture. The sebaceous glands are responsible for providing the necessary oil that your scalp needs. You may think your getting rid of dandruff or dry scalp but your really just covering it up with grease and oils. Actually, greasing the scalp with petroleum products can cause dandruff as the petrolum forms a layer over the scalp that clogs the follicles and increases buildup.  What we should do is try to keep our scalp clean so that the hair follicles can breathe which will result in hair growth. This includes not putting products like creams and conditioners on the scalp. These products should only be applied to the hair NOT the scalp. 

DO apply oils, creams, and conditioners to the hair strands. Mainly focusing your efforts on the ends, which are the oldest and most delicate parts of the hair. Lubricated, moisturized and healthy ends equals Maximum Length Retention.